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Shutdown delays tax filing season by 10 days

1040: Taxpayers eager to get refunds will have to wait an extra 10 days to file their federal tax returns.
Photo: Associated Press

STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Taxpayers eager to get refunds will have to wait an extra 10 days to file their federal tax returns.

The Internal Revenue Service said Wednesday the government shutdown has forced it to delay tax filing season until Jan. 31. It had been slated to start Jan. 21.

The IRS says the 16-day shutdown in October interrupted workers who were programming and testing the agency’s processing systems. Following the shutdown, the IRS warned that tax season could be delayed.

Acting IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said the extra 10 days should give workers time to prepare the system.

Many taxpayers file early to get quick refunds. The April 15 deadline for filing individual tax returns, which is set by law, remains unchanged.